WHY: Donors responded in three days with $16,000 in donations toward $110,000 goal; the museum sees this both as a “thank you,” a call for additional donations and as a call for potential shop crew volunteers to work on repairs and renovation

VISUALS: Still lots of damage, particularly to car 458 from the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Ry.; donors, museum crew, officials and other volunteers (no one is paid) from the museum. Operations continuing despite damage.

The museum will be hosting an open house for all of its generous donors, friends, members and well wishers. All are welcome. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. both days, volunteers will lead tours, answer questions, take donations and work with those who would like to volunteer their time to the museum, which is the last remnant of the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric interurban (inter-city) electric railway, which once linked Carpentersville with Yorkville. The museum has owned the remnant since 1972. “It won’t be anything fancy but I can promise each and every person will get a guided tour of the damage and of the carbarn,” said Jeff Bennett, chief car officer. The museum invites coverage of 2018’s version of “The Little Engine That Could.”